Apartheid is a former system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, enforced by law from 1948 to 1994. It governed how people could live, work, and interact, organizing society along racial categories. The term now denotes any policy or practice of segregation or discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, or other identity.
"The dismantling of apartheid marked a turning point in South Africa's history."
"Many survivors testified about life under apartheid in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission."
"Educational reforms helped reduce the gaps created by decades of apartheid."
"International sanctions pressured the government to end apartheid and promote equality."
Apartheid derives from the Afrikaans–Dutch phrase apart (“apart, separate”) joined to -heid, a Dutch noun suffix akin to English -hood, meaning “state or condition.” The word entered common use in South Africa in the mid-20th century to describe a formal policy of racial separation. Its semantic roots lie in the concept of separation of races and groups, codified in law and enforced through administrative structures, social norms, and security services. Initially, the policy was justified as preserving order, but it rapidly became entrenched in governance, housing, education, and employment. The term gained international recognition as anti-apartheid movements grew in the 1950s–1980s, culminating in the dismantling of legal apartheid in the early 1990s. First attested in South African sources around the 1950s, apartheid’s usage expanded globally as people discussed its implications, resistance, and the transition to democratic governance. Over time, it has entered common discourse to describe systemic segregation and unequal treatment along racial lines in various contexts, not only South Africa.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Apartheid" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Apartheid"
-ted sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as a-PAR-teid (US: ə-ˈpɑr-ˌteɪd; UK: ˌæ-pɑː-ˈtaɪd or ə-ˈpɑːr-ˌteɪd). Stress falls on the second syllable, with a clear 'par' as in 'partner' and an ending 'teid' like 'tide' but with a crisp 'd' closure. Start with a relaxed initial schwa in the first syllable, then a strong secondary attack on -par-, and finish with -teid. Imagine saying “a PART tide” quickly. Audio reference: listen to educated newsroom pronunciations from reputable sources.
Common errors include misplacing stress (say-ING ‘a-PART-heid’), mispronouncing the -teid ending as 'tide' with a long i, and flattening the second syllable. To correct: ensure the /ɜː/ or /ɑː/ vowel in the stressed syllable carries a full, open quality, then glide into the /eɪ/ in -teid without turning it into a pure /iː/. Keep the final /d/ crisp. Practice with a mirror to ensure mouth shapes align with /p/ and /t/ closures.
US speakers tend to use ə-ˈpɑr-ˌteɪd with a rhotic r and a stronger /ɑ/ in the second syllable. UK speakers may use ˌæ-pɑː-ˈtaɪd with less rhotic rhyming and a longer /aː/ vowel in the second syllable. Australian pronunciation often merges the vowels toward a broader /æ/‑like first vowel and a rounded, drawn-out /aɪ/ in -teid, with non- rhotic tendencies. Exposure to Afrikaans pronunciation may also influence some speakers.
The difficulty centers on the -heid ending: the /eɪd/ diphthong must close with a /d/ without elongating too much; and the contrast between /ɑː/ vs /aː/ in stressed syllables. The sequence a-PAR- often trips speakers who are unsure where to place primary stress because the word’s historical emphasis is on the middle syllable. It also involves a subtle vowel length and lip rounding that differ across accents. Practice listening to authoritative pronunciations and mimic the mouth shapes.
The unique aspect is the combination of an aspirated initial consonant cluster (/p/) followed by a stressed mid syllable and a trailing -teid with a clear /eɪ/ before /d/. Some speakers gloss over /ɜː/ or reduce to /a/ in the first syllable. The exact vowel color of /ɑ/ vs /aː/ in the second syllable varies by dialect, making consistent pronunciation a matter of listening to trusted pronunciations and practicing the precise sequence a-PAR-teid.
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